WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care - Safe Care ...

PART I. REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC DATA RELATED TO HAND HYGIENE
Table I.17.1
Hand hygiene indications and alcohol prohibition in different religions
Religion
Specific indications for hand
hygiene
Type of
cleansing a
Alcohol prohibition
Existence Reason Potentially
affecting use of
alcohol-based
handrub
Buddhism
After each meal
To wash the hands of the deceased
H
S
Yes
It kills living
organisms
(bacteria)
Yes, but
surmountable
At New Year, young people pour
water over elders’ hands
S
Christianity
Before the consecration of bread
and wine
R
No — No
After handling Holy Oil (Catholics)
H
Hinduism
During a worship ceremony (puja)
(water)
R
Yes
It causes mental
impairment
No
End of prayer (water)
R
After any unclean act (toilet)
H
Before and after any meal
H
Islam
Repeating ablutions at least three
times with running water before
prayers (5 times a day)
Before and after any meal
R
H
Yes
It causes
disconnection from
a state of spitritual
awareness or
consciousness
Yes, but
surmountable.
Very advanced and
close scrutiny of
the problem
After going to the toilet
H
After touching a dog, shoes or a
cadaver
H
After handling anything soiled
H
Judaism
Immediately after waking in the
morning
H
No — No
Before and after each meal
H
Before praying
R
Before the beginning of Shabbat
R
After going to the toilet
H
Orthodox
Christianity
After putting on liturgical
vestments before beginning the
ceremony
R
No — No
Before the consecration of bread
and wine
R
Sikhism
Early in the morning
Before every religious activity
Before cooking and entering the
community food hall
H
R
H
Yes
Unacceptable
behaviour as
disrespectful of the
faith
Considered as an
intoxicant
Yes, but probably
surmountable
After each meal
H
After taking off or putting on shoes
H
a
H = hygienic; R = ritual; S = symbolic.
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